Van Allen (original) (raw)


Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z


Van Allen, James A


Van Allen
Van Allen
Credit: NASA

American astrophysicist; his experiment carried aboard the first American satellite established the existence of radiation belts that encircled the Earth; also very active in sounding rocket experiments.

Born: 1914-09-07. Died: 2006-08-09. Birth Place: Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

James A. Van Allen was a path breaking astrophysicist best known for his work in magnetospheric physics. Van Allen's January 1958 Explorer 1 experiment established the existence of radiation belts--later named for the scientist--that encircled the Earth, representing the opening of a broad research field. Extending outward in the direction of the Sun approximately 40,000 miles, as well as stretching out with a trail away from the Sun to approximately 370,000 miles, the magnetosphere is the area dominated by Earth's strong magnetic field.



Country: USA. Bibliography: 535, 6139.



1914 September 7 - .


1949 March 1 - . Launch Platform: AVM1. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon.


1952 July 29 - . Launch Platform: WYG-279. Launch Vehicle: Rockoon.


1956 January 26 - .


1957 April 1 - .


1962 July 17 - .


2006 August 9 - .



Back to top of page


Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z


© 1997-2019 Mark Wade - Contact
© / Conditions for Use